Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Awards Three New Research Grants

AUSTIN — The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) today awarded three grants through its research program. The grants, totaling $6,000,000, support the recruitment of promising emerging researchers pursuing their first faculty appointment in Texas.

"Each of the researchers receiving these CPRIT funds have demonstrated high quality work and steadfast commitment to their respective fields,” said Wayne Roberts, chief executive officer for CPRIT. “Through these grants, Texas is providing needed support for accomplished individuals advancing the fight against cancer and, ultimately, fulfilling this agency’s mission to reduce the burden of cancer in our great state."

The awarded research grants were submitted in response to a CPRIT Request for Applications (RFA) for recruitment of first-time, tenure-track faculty members. After undergoing CPRIT’s research review process, the three grants were recommended by the Scientific Review Council and ratified by the Oversight Committee. The awarded grants include:

Damian Young, Ph.D., Recruitment to Baylor College of Medicine from The Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT – $2,000,000

Koen Venken, Ph.D., Recruitment to Baylor College of Medicine from Baylor College of Medicine – $2,000,000

About the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas

Beginning operations in 2009, CPRIT has to date awarded more than $800 million in grants to Texas researchers, institutions, non-profits and private enterprises. Besides scientific research funding, CPRIT also provides funding for product development and prevention programs. Programs made possible with CPRIT funding have reached every corner of the state, brought more than 50 distinguished researchers to Texas, advanced scientific and clinical knowledge, and made life-saving education, training, prevention and early detection services accessible to more than 1.3 million Texans at risk of cancer. In 2013, CPRIT worked with the Texas Legislature and its stakeholders on restructuring measures that have strengthened agency governance and improved transparency and accountability. Learn more at cprit.state.tx.us.